Meaning of WING in English

The wings of a bird or insect are the two parts of its body that it uses for flying.

The bird flapped its wings furiously...

N-COUNT

• -winged

...black-winged birds.

COMB in ADJ

2.

The wings of an aeroplane are the long flat parts sticking out of its side which support it while it is flying.

N-COUNT

• -winged

...a wide-winged plane.

COMB in ADJ

3.

A wing of a building is a part of it which sticks out from the main part.

We were given an office in the empty west wing.

N-COUNT : usu with supp

4.

A wing of an organization, especially a political organization, is a group within it which has a particular function or particular beliefs.

...the military wing of the African National Congress.

N-COUNT : with supp , usu supp N

see also left-wing , right-wing

5.

In a theatre, the wings are the sides of the stage which are hidden from the audience by curtains or scenery.

Most nights I watched the start of the play from the wings.

N-PLURAL : the N

6.

In a game such as football or hockey, the left wing and the right wing are the areas on the far left and the far right of the pitch. You can also refer to the players who play in these positions as the left wing and the right wing .

N-COUNT : usu supp N

7.

A wing of a car is a part of it on the outside which is over one of the wheels. ( BRIT; in AM, use fender )

N-COUNT

8.

If you say that something or someone wings their way somewhere or wings somewhere, you mean that they go there quickly, especially by plane.

A few moments later they were airborne and winging their way south...

A cash bonanza will be winging its way to the 600,000 members of the scheme...

The first of the airliners winged westwards and home.

VERB : V way adv / prep , V way adv / prep , V adv / prep

9.

If you say that someone is waiting in the wings , you mean that they are ready and waiting for an opportunity to take action.

There are now more than 20 big companies waiting in the wings to take over some of its business.

PHRASE : usu v PHR

10.

If you spread your wings , you do something new and rather difficult or move to a new place, because you feel more confident in your abilities than you used to and you want to gain wider experience.

I led a very confined life in my village so I suppose that I wanted to spread my wings.

PHRASE : V inflects

11.

If you take someone under your wing , you look after them, help them, and protect them.